# Email Routing

> Canonical: https://jethost.com/kb/email-routing/ · Last modified: 2026-09-10T08:18:51+00:00

**Email routing** tells the server what to do with mail for your domain – deliver it locally on JetHost, or hand it to an external provider such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. This guide explains the options and when to change them.

## When you need it

Most people never touch this. You only need it if your email is hosted *somewhere other than JetHost*. In that case, the server must be told not to deliver mail locally, or messages can get stuck instead of reaching your real provider.

## Change your email routing

1. In your hosting panel, open **Email Routing**.
2. Select your domain.
3. Choose the routing option and save.

![Email routing JetHost](https://jethost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/email-routing-jethost.png)## The routing options

- **Automatically Detect Configuration** – the default, and the right choice for almost everyone. The server follows your MX records.
- **Local Mail Exchanger** – forces mail to be delivered here on JetHost, whatever the MX records say.
- **Backup Mail Exchanger** – JetHost holds mail temporarily if your primary mail server is down.
- **Remote Mail Exchanger** – tells the server your mail is hosted elsewhere, so it never tries to deliver locally. Use this with an external email provider.

If you use a third-party email service, first point your [MX records](https://jethost.com/kb/how-to-set-up-email-dns-records/) to that provider, then set routing to **Remote**. The order matters: change the MX records first, allow them to propagate, and only then switch routing, so mail is never sent to the wrong place in between.

To go the other way – moving email back to JetHost – do the reverse. Point your MX records at JetHost, then set routing to **Automatically Detect Configuration** (or Local). If you ever see a mix of some users receiving mail here and others at the old provider during a migration, that is simply propagation catching up, and it settles within a day or two.

## JetHost Experts Tip

A classic email mystery: MX records point to Google or Microsoft, but your own users’ mail never arrives. The cause is almost always routing left on Local. Setting it to Remote fixes it instantly.

## Need more help?

Not sure which option you need? Open a ticket through **Client Area → Support** and our team will set the right routing for your domain.